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Article published February 26, 2013

Attempted homicide charge filed against teen

CHICORA — An Ohio teenager will face an additional charge of attempted homicide stemming from the weekend stabbing of his stepfather in Summit Township.Prosecutors on Tuesday added the first-degree felony charge against 18-year-old Donald J. Zuppo Jr., of Youngstown, who remains in the Butler County Prison on $20,000 bail.“The facts of the crime seem to fit the (attempted homicide) offense,” said Russ Karl, a county assistant district attorney. “The victim had several lacerations on his neck.”State police arrested Zuppo after they said he cut Kevin Lee Walker’s throat with a razor knife at Walker’s home in the 300 block of Carbon Center Road, where he lives with his wife, who is Zuppo’s mother.The alleged attack about 7:15 p.m. Friday left Walker, 46, bleeding profusely from wounds to his neck and chest, police said.He was flown by medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment, and subsequently released.Police initially charged Zuppo with aggravated assault, a second-degree felony, and simple assault and reckless endangerment, both misdemeanors.But on Tuesday, before the teen’s scheduled preliminary hearing at the office of District Judge Lewis Stoughton in Chicora, police amended their complaint.The hearing was postponed when Zuppo appeared without an attorney. Trooper Joshua Anderson, the investigating officer, said that the new charge is “based on (Zuppo’s) statement that he tried to kill (Walker).”